Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Tijs Broeke.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 4 March 2021.

RESOLVED – That the public minutes and non-public summary of the meeting held on 4 March 2021 be approved as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Communications.

Members received a report of the Director of Communications in respect of the Corporate Affairs Update.

In response to concerns regarding the electoral registration process, Members were informed that this matter was a high priority issue and that the Elections Engagement Manager would be giving an update to the Court of Aldermen the following week.

RESOLVED – that the report be received and its contents noted.

Report of the City Remembrancer.

Members received a report of the Remembrancer in respect of the Parliamentary Team Update. With regards to the regulations for local authority meetings, the government’s position to date was that there was insufficient parliamentary time to go through primary legislation.

RESOLVED – that the report be received and its contents noted.

Chief Officers to be heard.

Chief Officers were heard in respect of Recovery Work. Members expressed concern regarding recent media coverage regarding recovery and the City’s plans for office space moving forward. A primary area of concern was the media coverage in relation to plans to increase residences in the City and what spaces these residences will occupy (including current office space and other spaces suitable for conversion). Members were advised that communications plans were in place, and that further engagement was underway with key stakeholders to ensure that the City retained its reputation as a thriving, internationally competitive centre, paying due consideration to both the residential and business communities. In particular opportunities would be found to clarify the predominantly business nature of the City. The Director of Communications emphasised that recovery work was focused on maintaining strong, sustainable recovery for the City and bringing workers and visitors back to the City whilst taking steps to protect public health. This work was being undertaken by the Recovery Taskforce, Business Recovery Fund, promotion of City reopening events, COVID-19 Business Accreditation Scheme and the City of London Recovery advertising and publicity campaign.

Chief Officers to be heard.

Members and Chief Officers discussed the future remit and form of the sub-committee. It was noted that as a competitiveness advisory board had been established, it would be beneficial for the new committee to focus on public affairs, communications and sports engagement. Members also considered whether the new committee should be a sub-committee or advisory board. Proposed terms of reference would be presented to members ahead of being confirmed.

There were no questions.

There were no urgent items.

MOTION - That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2021.

The non-public minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2021 were approved, subject to one amendment.

Questions were raised in respect of recovery.

There were no items of urgent business.